Workmen's advocate., 1887-01-15

that no organlzation Of the workers Tn opposition to their employers can be carried on in a strictly democrat ic manner" From this we can only infer that he believes the existence and rule of bossism an evil to be tolerated, as a necessity to the sue cess of the labor movement. Noth- ing could be farther from the truth, and more diametricall y in opposition to the teachings of practical experl- ence, than this assertion. No labor organization has yet achieved in any measure a success, which has depart ed from the principle of control by the majority vote
 Take, as an Illustration, what promised two years ago to be the largest and most powerful labor or ganization which the world has ever known-the Order of Knights of Labor. Look at it to-day Torn by internal quarrels, attacked from without and within, moving under a constant cross-fre of charges and ounter-charges. It is even predict ed that the Order is tottering upon its last legs, and the subsidized press are already rejoicing over its de- mise.
 Now, consider for moment, what has been the cause of all this trouble. The Order has been supported by hundreds of thousands of honest men, reliable and true as steel, always ready to work with hand and brain for the benefit of the cause; thelr pockets always open at the call for funds. Yet, with all its power, with all its members, with all its funds, in what way has the Order benefited its members? In no way !. It would, moreover, not be going too far to assert that 1t has been detr- ment to it's members, instead of q benefit. It is because of this inabl- ity to accomplish anything; because of this unbroken record of failures, that such widespread dissatisfaction is now prevalent.
 Yet it is hardly probable that a majority of the Knights have alight- ed upon the real cause of their mis- fortunes, namely, Me substitution of "bOss-rule' for the rule of tie major- Hy. The advance of few unscru- pulous and incompetent leaders, vested with the authority of the Czar of Russia. The silent acquies- ence of men who dislike to pose as "kickers," but who realize that something is wrong-and the ching is done. Honesty and integrity are cast to the winds; trickery usurps their places, and the doom of the "Order" is sealed.
 Such has been the effect, and such will always be the effect of any at tempt to subordinate the majority to the will of the few. It is an incon- trovertible law of nature that the majority shall rule, and all attempts to coerce nature must eventually re- suit in disaster.
 And the majority is always compe- lent 70 rule, self-styled saviours of the working classes to the contrary notwithstanding. The majority can never make radical mistake; in the end its side will be found the right side; the side of honesty and sta bility.
 Quacks may announce ''the prob lem solved," but this does not solve it. The labor problem can only be solved by majority of the laborers themselves, and little more than a strict adherence to the dictates of conscience is required to show them the right way out of their perplexing position.
 But, first of all, the labor move ment must dispense with its bosses; placing the reins of control strictly in the hands of the majority. Sue cess is then practically assured, come what may of difficulties in bringing about the necessary change.
 There is no lack of leaders in the labor movent, but you do not want leaders. The workingmen require competent advisers. Men of good judgment, who can be relied upon to give an open and honest opinion without the annoying suspicion that personal interests are behind it. The advent of few competent, honest